RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway

Winona State University is known for its high-quality baccalaureate and graduate programs in nursing. The RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway is designed for highly motivated nurses who:

Graduated with an associate degree in nursing or a diploma in nursing

Have nursing experience

Whose goal is to earn a Graduate degree in Nursing

Selected courses meet requirements for the undergraduate and graduate programs. Students will substitute Graduate-level credits for Baccalaureate-level credits in the RN - BS Completion program that count toward the BS degree. Students must take ten (10) credits of specified 400/600 level double-numbered courses thus reducing the remaining Graduate level credits (reduction of graduate credits are dependent upon the number of credits required in the program to which the student is admitted).

Students will substitute the following classes for NURS 465 – Population-Based Health Care II and NURS 491 – Professional Development in the RN – BS Completion program:

Students plan their streamlined program with advisors from both the baccalaureate and Graduate programs in anticipation of formal admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing. A separate application is required for admission to the Graduate Programs in Nursing. Master of Science or Doctorate of Nursing Practice Nursing Plans of Study and Application can be found on the Graduate Nursing website.

Admission to the RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway

Applicants must be currently admitted WSU Undergraduate RN - BS Completion students in order to qualify for the RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway. Applicants must also meet additional admission requirements and should also consult the WSU Graduate Catalog. Separate formal application to the Graduate Programs in Nursing is required. The application deadline for this program is Oct. 1 of each academic year. Acceptance in a program area is not guaranteed. Further information can be obtained from the Graduate Nursing website.

Admission Guidelines

Applicant must be a currently admitted to the WSU RN - BS Completion Program in order to qualify for the RN to Graduate Nursing Pathway;

Meet with an RN - BS Completion Advisor:
-Full-time students must have all credits completed prior to beginning the RN - Completion core graduate nursing courses*
-Part-time students must have all credits completed prior to beginning the second or last year of the RN - BS Completion core nursing courses*

After the above course requirements are complete, submit a “Graduate Studies Online Application” and “Graduate Programs in Nursing BSN-DNP or MS Application” by Oct. 1.

Selection Criteria for RN - BS - Graduate Nursing Pathway

Must be currently enrolled in the WSU RN - BS Completion Baccalaureate Degree Program (full- time first semester, part-time third semester);

Attain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale;

Accomplished a minimum of one-year clinical nursing experience

Evidence of current, unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse. Minnesota licensure typically required for all clinical courses. Other state license may also be required for clinical experiences in those states according to state statute;

Must meet admission requirements of Graduate Programs in Nursing, which includes submitting a “BSN-DNP or MS Application” and all required attachments by deadline of Oct. 1. Applications can be found under Applications and Forms.

Must also submit the “Graduate Studies Online Application." Please visit the Graduate Studies website “How to Apply” for application information and instructions. This application must be submitted before or concurrently with the “BSN-DNP or MS or Graduate Certificate Application” which has a due date of Oct. 1.

Nursing Electives:

Other 400/600 level, doubled number courses that may be taken as electives and count toward the baccalaureate degree and will reduce the number of 600 level credits needed for the Graduate degree. These courses are registered at the 400 level.

*Graduate level courses taken as 400 level course credits count toward the BS degree and reduce the number of 600 level course credits needed for a Graduate degree to 33 – 46 credits.

Graduate Degree Program must be completed within seven (7) years of the first 400/600 level double numbered course taken

Baccalaureate Degree requirements (128 credits)

Graduate Degree requirements (43 – 56 credits MS, 72 DNP)

Sample full-time plan of study

This sample demonstrates a full-time plan of study required to complete the baccalaureate portion of the RN – MS pathway. (All other course requirements for the BS Degree are completed before beginning this sequence)

Sample part-time plan of study

This sample demonstrates a part-time plan of study required to complete the baccalaureate portion of the RN – MS pathway. (All other course requirements for the BS Degree are completed before beginning the second or last year of the program)

Semester I

NURS 415

Concepts in Professional Nursing

4 SH

NURS 435

Holistic Assessment

3 SH

Semester II

NURS 455

Continuity of Care

4 SH

NURS 445

Evidenced Based Leadership

3 SH

Semester III

NURS 375

Evidenced Based Research

3 SH

NURS 475

Population Based Health Care I

4 SH

Semester IV

*NURS 409/608

Organizational and Systems Leadership

3 SH

*NURS 419/612

Advanced Health Promotion for Families

3 SH

*NURS 499/613

Advanced Health Promotion for Families Clinical

1 SH

*NURS 414/604

Health Care Policy/Quality Health Care Delivery

3 SH

* (substitute credits for NURS 465 Population Based Nursing and NURS 491 Professional Development)